The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage produced another dramatic day of action as France, Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Norway and Cabo Verde secured places in the Round of 32, while Senegal also booked a knockout berth as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Six decisive matches across Groups G, H and I wrapped up another phase of the expanded tournament on Saturday, June 27, delivering dominant victories, tense defensive battles and emotional qualification celebrations. Belgium stormed to the top of Group G with a five-goal display, France completed a perfect group campaign, and tournament debutants Cabo Verde continued their fairytale run by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2026 FIFA World Cup |
| Matchday | Final Group Stage Matches (Groups G, H & I) |
| Matches Played | 6 |
| Qualified Today | France, Norway, Senegal, Spain, Cabo Verde, Belgium, Egypt |
| Eliminated | Iraq, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand |
| Awaiting Qualification | Iran |
Match Results
| Group | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | Norway vs France | 1–4 |
| Group I | Senegal vs Iraq | 5–0 |
| Group H | Uruguay vs Spain | 0–1 |
| Group H | Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 0–0 |
| Group G | New Zealand vs Belgium | 1–5 |
| Group G | Egypt vs Iran | 1–1 |
Dembélé Hat-Trick Powers France to Perfect Group Stage
France finished atop Group I with a flawless nine-point campaign after defeating Norway 4-1 in Boston.
The match belonged to Ousmane Dembélé, whose breathtaking first-half display included a 26-minute hat-trick that dismantled Norway’s defense. Norway managed a consolation goal after the break, but Didier Deschamps’ side remained firmly in control throughout.
France advanced as Group I winners, while Norway held on to second place despite the defeat.
Senegal Keep World Cup Dream Alive
Senegal boosted their hopes of a deep tournament run with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq in Toronto.
The contest swung dramatically in the 13th minute when Iraq were reduced to 10 players following an early red card.
Ismaïla Sarr opened the scoring with his third goal of the tournament before substitute Pape Gueye stole the spotlight after halftime, scoring twice from long range as Senegal dramatically improved their goal difference.
The victory guaranteed Senegal a place among the best third-placed teams, sending them into the knockout rounds.
Spain Edge Uruguay to Win Group H
Spain secured top spot in Group H after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara.
The decisive moment came three minutes before halftime when Álex Baena cut inside and fired a low effort that slipped through goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s hands and crossed the line.
Uruguay pushed aggressively after the interval, with manager Marcelo Bielsa introducing Sergio Rochet at halftime, but Spain’s disciplined possession game denied clear opportunities.
Uruguay’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí, ending the South Americans’ disappointing tournament.
Cabo Verde Complete Fairytale Qualification
Tournament newcomers Cabo Verde reached the Round of 32 for the first time after battling to a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston.
Needing only a point to secure second place, Cabo Verde produced an organized defensive performance to frustrate Saudi Arabia throughout the match.
The historic result saw Cabo Verde finish as Group H runners-up, setting up a blockbuster knockout clash against Argentina.
Belgium Produce Five-Star Performance
Belgium climbed from third place to win Group G after dismantling New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver.
Leandro Trossard scored twice as the Red Devils finally found their attacking rhythm, while Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku also got on the scoresheet in a dominant display.
The convincing victory lifted Belgium above Egypt on goal difference to secure first place in the group.
Egypt Reach Knockout Stage for the First Time
Egypt made history by advancing beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time after drawing 1-1 with Iran in Seattle.
The Pharaohs struck early when Mahmoud Saber converted after a rebound from Mohamed Salah’s effort in the fifth minute.
Iran responded quickly despite Mostafa Shobeir saving a penalty from Mehdi Taremi. Defender Ramin Rezaeian capitalized on the loose ball minutes later to level the score from a tight angle.
Late drama followed when Iran thought they had scored the winner that would have sent them through automatically, only for a lengthy VAR review to rule the goal offside.
The draw ensured Egypt finished second in Group G and advanced to face Australia in the Round of 32. Iran must now wait to learn whether their three points will be enough to qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Final Group Standings
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 5 | +4 | Qualified |
| 2 | Egypt | 5 | +2 | Qualified |
| 3 | Iran | 3 | 0 | Awaiting third-place ranking |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1 | -6 | Eliminated |
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 7 | +5 | Qualified |
| 2 | Cabo Verde | 3 | 0 | Qualified |
| 3 | Uruguay | 2 | -1 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | -4 | Eliminated |
Group I
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 9 | +8 | Qualified |
| 2 | Norway | 6 | +1 | Qualified |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | +2 | Qualified (Best Third Place) |
| 4 | Iraq | 0 | -11 | Eliminated |
Round of 32 Begins Sunday
With the group stage nearing completion, attention now shifts to the Round of 32, which begins on Sunday, June 28.
Confirmed Fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 28 | South Africa vs Canada | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) |
| June 29 | Brazil vs Japan | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium) |
| June 29 | Germany vs TBD | 4:30 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) |
Knockout Stage Schedule
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – July 7 |
| Quarterfinals | July 9 – July 11 |
| Semifinals | July 14 – July 15 |
| Third-Place Playoff | July 18 |
| World Cup Final | July 19 (New York New Jersey Stadium) |
With only the final group-stage fixtures remaining, the knockout bracket is beginning to take shape. Heavyweights France, Spain and Belgium head into the elimination rounds in strong form, while newcomers Cabo Verde and history-making Egypt will look to extend their memorable World Cup campaigns. Iran’s fate, meanwhile, remains dependent on results from the remaining groups over the next two days.
